Kentucky softball stays put at No. 16 in USA Softball Top 25

Kentucky+pitcher+Kennedy+Sullivan+%288%29+pitches+during+the+UK+vs.+Oklahoma+softball+game+on+Tuesday%2C+March+22%2C+2022%2C+at+John+Cropp+Stadium+in+Lexington%2C+Kentucky.+Oklahoma+won+9-1.+Photo+by+Jack+Weaver+%7C+Staff

Kentucky pitcher Kennedy Sullivan (8) pitches during the UK vs. Oklahoma softball game on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Oklahoma won 9-1. Photo by Jack Weaver | Staff

Ainsley Saurers, Reporter

Kentucky softball (12-5-1) found itself tied with the Baylor Bears (17-2) at No. 16 in week three of the USA Softball Top 25.

Most recently winning against the UIC Flames 11-0, the Cats have managed to maintain their place in the rankings despite a pair of lopsided losses to Oklahoma.

The Cats started their season with a preseason ranking of No .20 before managing to jump to No.16 after opening weekend.

They’ve maintained a steady balance in the rankings over the past few weeks, though they are still on the hunt to climb.

Five SEC teams remain ranked above the Cats with eight of the 14 total SEC teams remaining ranked in the week three rankings.

Tennessee jumped from No. 6 to No. 5 in the rankings after the Vols’ 7-1 victory over the Belmont Bruins.

Arkansas held its place at No. 7, still trailing Tennessee after recently losing to Central Arkansas 2-1.

Alabama also held its place as No. 9 in the rankings after the Tide defeated the Mercer Bears 8-0 in five innings.

On the other hand, Florida dropped from No. 10 to No. 12 despite three consecutive wins over UAB.

No. 14 LSU continued its climb in the rankings, moving up one place from last week’s rankings after defeating Cal Poly 12-4.

The Wildcats will look to rise in the rankings in week four, first facing off against the Dayton Flyers at John Cropp Stadium on Wednesday. The Cats are projected to begin playing at 5 p.m. EST.

A full list of the rankings can be seen below:

  1. Oklahoma Sooners (17-1)
  2. UCLA Bruins (22-1)
  3. Oklahoma State Cowboys (18-1)
  4. Clemson Tigers (20-1)
  5. Tennessee Volunteers (16-1)
  6. Florida State Seminoles (20-3)
  7. Arkansas Razorbacks (19-3)
  8. Stanford Cardinal (19-2)
  9. Alabama Crimson Tide (17-3)
  10. Texas Longhorns (17-2-1)
  11. Washington Huskies (18-3)
  12. Florida Gators (14-3)
  13. Virginia Tech Hokies (14-4)
  14. LSU Tigers (20-1)
  15. Duke Blue Devils (17-4)
  16.  Kentucky Wildcats (12-5-1)*
  17. Baylor Bears (17-2)*
  18. Georgia Bulldogs (17-5)
  19. Oregon Ducks (16-4)
  20. Arizona Wildcats (15-6)
  21. Auburn Tigers (20-2)
  22. Northwestern Wildcats (9-7)
  23. Missouri Tigers (15-6)
  24. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (13-8)*
  25. Arizona state Sun Devils (15-3)*

*- tie in votes

Others receiving votes:

Texas A&M (38), Wichita State (32), Nebraska (17), Maryland (12), Utah (9), UCF (7), CSU Fullerton (5), Mississippi State (5), Louisville (4), California (2), Central Arkansas (1), Stetson (1).